Cloning and expression of a Bacillus cellulase gene in Escherichia coli

A Bacillus cellulase gene coding for carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase) has been cloned in Escherichia coli using pBR 322 as a vector. The gene was expressed independently of its orientation in the cloning vector showing enzyme activity 40 times greater than that produced by the original Bacillus species. The high production of CMCase in E. coli by the foreign gene did not impede growth of the host cells and the E. coli produced CMCase responded to various pH values and temperatures in the same way as that produced by the gene donor cells.